So, why the lawsuit? Golby says the Mailer estate didn't give evidence that the work had been done legally and was up to code. Now he wants to get out of the contract (and get his $208,750 back). "This is not about money," [his lawyer] Mr. Fried said. "Wes loved the apartment. His problem is he loved that apartment as it is and he does not want to go in and find out he can't have the apartment he wants."

The Mailer estate refutes the charge and said there have been no misrepresentations -- "This is simply a case of buyer's remorse," said their lawyer.